Main menu

Robert Kubica nearly lost his right forearm in a 2011 rally incident. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Veteran F1 doctor backs Robert Kubica return plausibility

The 32-year-old is looking to return to the grid for the first time in seven years

August 11, 2017

Share

Facebook

Tweet

Pinterest

Email

Yet another respected figure in the Formula 1 paddock has backed Robert Kubica's return to the grid.

Last year, Daniel Schlosser was Nico Rosberg's physiotherapist as the Mercedes driver raced to his only championship. Now, Schlosser works with Force India tester Nikita Mazepin, but he also believes that Kubica is capable of immediately participating in grands prix.

"He still has very good muscles in his right arm -- only the volume is not so great," he told Sport Bild.

Some have expressed surprise that Kubica is still able to drive well with such a visibly damaged arm, but Schlosser is not among them.

"Nico (Rosberg), for example, always had a lot of tension in his wrists, so he had to train his arms heavily. But other drivers are lighter on the steering due to having a different driving technique," Schlosser said. "Nick Heidfeld was one of them, and probably also Kubica. They never had to train as much as the others."

As for how Kubica can negotiate tight left-hand corners now that his right arm is compromised, he provided a measured response.

"Instead of pressing with the right, you can pull with the left," Kubica said. "And depending on the technique, this can even be more efficient."

And thus from the evidence seen so far, Schlosser thinks Kubica can return to F1.

"In Hungary, he ran a very difficult program in high temperatures, which was hard for some young drivers," Schlosser said. "Anyone who can handle that can also handle a grand prix."